Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-10-29
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Of A Lady Visitor IN the Devils
Lake Metropolls.

Of A Lady Visitor IN tho Devils
Lake Metropolis.
The following private letter written
by Mrs. c. X. Chapman of Washington,
D. C.. to a Boston friend while Mrs.
Chapman was visiting her sister, Mrs.
Wishart, in this city, was handed to the
Boston Transcript by the recipient for
publication. The letter is based upon
personal experiences and observations
and very graphically and truthfully
sets forth the advantages of this region /:
Much that is disagreeable has been
said Of Dakota winter-its billiards.
and it's storms, of the human bones found
in the sprlngtime% bleaching beneath the
SHOWS. I cannot vouch for the truth
Of any of these statements, as I have
lever passed Il winter here; but judy
ing from the apparent physical condi-
tion Of the people, I should say they
stood the billiards. remarkably we'll
yes, even thrived OF them. 1t is q Da-
kota summer l wish to speak of, rs ]
have found it during u three months
stay here-more particularly of Devils
Lake, II little town located on q lake Of
the same name, in northern Dakota.
IT'S but four years since the railroad
entered it. and already it is teeming with
life and bastling activity.
1t numbers two thousand inhabitants
and boasts of four churches lone u little
Episcopal chapel, built of native stone.
vhat would adorn any city, and a fine
school house, and the foundation for q
twenty thousand dollar court house il
now being laid. This il a slower growth
than some Of these frontier towns, that
spring up like mushrooms, but it has
proved a sure growth. l know Of no
place that combines 80 much, if one is
seeking health, rest and recreation.
Here one can throw aside the restraints
and conventionsllties of city life, and
live a free and natural life. One finds
here agreeable, cultivated people who
extend a generous hospitality and warm
state in our Union is represented, as
people of thrift and enterprise are COLI
stantly leaving the o~vercrowded cities
and seeking broader fields for activity
which this great western country opens
up 10 them. The little houses so un.
%pretentious on the outside, vie with our
eastern city homes for their tasteful and
refined decorations within doors. The
| climate il as neal perfect as can be.
Here we find u humid atmos.
phere-we know nothing Of "dog days"
II perfectly dry atmosphere prevails,
with clear, bracing air. When the pa.
pers here brought US accounts of the
intense heat in other parts of the
country, there has not been q day this
summer when II could not take u long
walk across the prairies which surround
the town, ut any hour Of the day, with,
out discomfort, and a drive acros them
is most exhilarating and delightful.
The air is 30 braclng that one can ride
for hours without feeling the least ia
tigue.
Especially is this enjoyable during
the long twilight. The longest days in
summer II Can see to read by day.
light until 10 p. M, and the sun does
not set until nine, and such sunsets;
words cannot express their beauty, nor
brush paint it; only the hand of the
great Creator could produce such color.
ing. The lake the most beautiful body
Of water I have ever seen, affords ample
opportunity for boating, bathing and
fishing. 1t is tifty-tive miles long and
seventeen miles wide in the widest par,
1t Vas named the Lake of Evil spirits by
the Indians (>ince corrupted into Devils
Lake, on account of its being a salt.
water lake without any yisable outlet.
No Indian was eve known to cross ii
or any eve seen upon it. A
little steamboat carries the mail daily
to Fort Totten, an army post on the
other side Of the lake-sixteen miles
across. A very pleasant trio is this,
leaving town at 8 a. m, and returning
at 4 p. NJ. Many enjoyable excursions
are planned by good Capt. H. to differ.
ent parts of the lake, whose wooded
banks and numerous bays and little
coyes, with strips OF pebnly beach af.
ford charming camping and picnic
grounds, we'll %patronized by pleasure
parties during the season, to say moth
ing Of the moonlight trips, when the
lake, like sea Of glass, reflects the sll
very light Of the moon, and one almost
~fancies himself in fairy land, SO beautl
full is the scene.
The game season has begun, and the
ambitious sportsman is daily to be seer
shouldering his game bag and gun, and
attended by his faithful dog-a creature
so useful and necessary to the baggine
of ducks-starts of across the prairie
returning hours afterward laden WITT
spoils. Then such a feast awaits US
ducks, plover and the delicious little
prairie chickens we have often heard Of
but never tasted before.
l have not time to tell you in this
letter Of the many things that have in,
terested me here The mornings art
lovely; such golden light floods the room
on waking; air so pure, apparently
fresh from heaven, comes in at the oper
easement, one can but feel glad to be
alive. The day flies on golden wings;
and night comes too soon even; bu,
cool. refreshing slumber visits the pillow
and one sinks to rest echolng these lines
Morning 90 lovely, but o holier charm
Lies folded close In evenings robe of balm,
And weary man must ever love her beat,
For morning calls to toll, but night to rest"
II -
The Real Bloody Shirt.
The Georgia Blade.